California

I am in love with the man who could have spent 658 minutes of flight time without a three year old and 16 month old as his row companions and a hotel room with three less persons (all of whom snore)but instead chose to bring us along for his work trip to San Diego.

Our first day, Joshua was at his conference, so we walked over to the Children's Museum as soon as it opened.

The majority of it is dedicated to art making. Sophia did some painting and J worked on drawing.Both of them enjoyed playing with clay.

The basement level was filled with cardboard boxes for fort making.

J enjoyed some time with his peers;

And Sophia crawled and climbed through every exhibit until the museum closed.

Each morning before Josh went to work, we made a trip to stand in line at the "Donut Bar".

Ranked as the number one "restaurant" in San Diego by Trip Advisor.

Our second day we walked to the Public Library to enjoy a concert;

And a broccoli smoothie at the outdoor cafe.

As soon as Joshua's conference ended Sophia brought him to the fountain outside our hotel.

Then it was on to the Ferry Dock to ride over to Coronado Island.

First toe dip for Sophia in the Pacific!

Sunday, our third morning, we had breakfast at the Hotel St James, once the tallest building in San Diego, which clearly still has the largest pancakes.

We participated in the worship service at First Presbyterian Church of San Diego and walked on to spend our final day at the San Diego Zoo.

The highlight of the trip for me was walking through Balboa Park, which felt a lot like Italy.

The Zoo was celebrating its 100th anniversary and we had some close encounters with a few exotic animals.

Sophia's favorite however was brushing the goats; good thing we know where to find those back home.

Welcoming 2017

This is how we welcomed 2017.

With the couple who stood with a microphone and welcomed us into our wedding reception almost ten years ago; With the woman who welcomed our daughter into the world as our doula almost four years ago; With the family who came to our home 14 months ago with a cake that said "Welcome" to our fourth; To celebrate a year in which we went to the airport to welcome home their fourth after three years of waiting. 

After the toddler went to bed, the three preschoolers spent the earlier end of New Year's Eve with glow sticks and lots of sugar.

The four parents talked and ate and enjoyed the fire, going to bed shortly after midnight with the appreciation that morning would come quickly.

Breakfast and card games on New Year's Day before we drove south for the city of Boston to separate us once again.

The next day we drove even further south to Connecticut.

Visiting with more friends who are also family and meeting Ms. Acacia Justice.

And so with grateful hearts and open hands we say, "Welcome 2017, we are ready to love those who have been placed before us and those we have yet to meet."

Christmas 2016

Christmas in Pennsylvania gave us the opportunity to see many childhood, high school and college friends, some whose homes are still within walking distance of my own and others who were visiting from as far as the Dominican Republic.

Christmas Eve Sophia reprised her role as an Angel at her Nana and Bop-bop's church.

A role she had taken on a few weeks prior at our home church. 

Christmas morning had one more participant this year, with James' fiancé Rachael joining us.

Sophia was very happy to help everyone unpack their stockings and unwrap their presents. J crawled from present to paper, equally enjoying both.

The last day of our trip we went into Philadelphia to visit the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute.

Sophia and her Dad took on the Phillies's mascot for a race at one of the museums.

We were sad a Nor'easter kept us from our plans to finish out the week of Christmas in New Hampshire but are thankful for all the time we could spend in PA!